2023-03-11

Religious Exploration: March 12, 2023

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Religious Exploration & Faith Development
Community Unitarian Universalist Congregation at White Plains
March 12, 2023

2022-2023 RE Theme: Unitarian Universalist Identity
Overview of the Year & Upcoming Schedule

View past newsletters at bit.ly/CUUCRENews
Spotlight
Meal Bags for HOPE
Canceled Today
Sat Mar 11
CANCELED: RE families will not meet to make meal bags this Saturday. We will resume on April 22nd.
Masking Policy Update

Based on the current COVID risk level in Westchester, masking will be optional during worship services and RE beginning this Sun Mar 12. Individuals are welcome to continue to mask based on their personal circumstances. 
 
Our coffee social hour after worship will move from Fellowship Hall back to the fireside area of the sanctuary. Click here to read the full letter from the Safety Committee. Contact: Safety Committee co-chair Christian Force (force2k1@gmail.com), Board chair Creighton Cray (creighton.cray@gmail.com).
Sunday, March 12
Remember to set your clocks ahead
one hour before you go to bed tonight. 
Childcare

Sundays, 9:45am-11:45am, Room 32, Yellow Hallway
Diane, Hans, and Max welcome young children in childcare. We offer a safe, loving environment where our youngest build community, wear masks, and play outside when weather permits. 

RE PlaceKeeping Program

With Cynthia R, Cyndi & Daniel T, and Laura S
This Sunday we will create the leaf packs from fallen leaves of native trees in preparation for our spring Leaf Pack stream study. We will also walk all of our trails to look for emerging signs of spring. Our paths are muddy so all participants should wear boots, as well as appropriate outerwear for the weather. 

Worship
At CUUC & Online

"Transformative Awe" ~ Rev. Meredith Garmon

Wonder changes us -- and being changed is a source of wonder.

If your young person is in the sanctuary quiet activity area, please sit in the chairs nearby to help them learn to navigate worship space.

Visit our website for the Sunday order of service. We continue to wear masks for Sunday morning worship and RE in the building. Revisit past services anytime at youtube.com/TheLiberalPulpit and subscribe!

Click here to join the live-stream of our Sunday Worship or phone in (audio only): 646-876-9923 · Webinar: 761 321 991 · Passcode: 468468. Everyone live-streaming the service is invited to stay online afterward to socialize on Zoom. Log in to bit.ly/CUUC-CoffeeHour or phone: 929-436-2866. Meeting: 336 956 2210, Passcode: 468468.


Parents/Caregivers of Young People Exploring Gender Identity

Sun Mar 12, 11:20am in Room 41 (green hallway)
UU parents from Westchester UU congregations share their journey with CUUC parents and caregivers.  

UUA Article II Info Sessions

CUUC Article II Learning Community, Listening Session, Sun Mar 19, 11:30am, Fellowship Hall & Zoom 3131; Sharing Session #1, Sun Apr 9, 11:30am, Fellowship Hall & Zoom 3131; Sharing Session #2, Thu Apr 20, 7:30pm, Zoom 7899

The sessions are designed to provide information on, and share our thoughts about, the Unitarian Universalist Association's current reassessment of Article II of the UUA Bylaws, which includes our Seven UU Principles. Click here to learn more about Article II Learning Community. Contact: Joe Majsak (jmajsak@verizon.net), Audra Russell (audrar631@gmail.com)
Upcoming Schedule

Sun Mar 12: Set your clocks ahead an hour then join us for 1st-12th grade RE/PlaceKeeping; After worship: TNBGNC Parent/Caregiver group; Congregational forum on Article II 
Sun Mar 19: 1st-7th grade classes meet; 8th-12th Youth Group tbd
Fri Mar 24: OWL Classes for 4th-5th & 6th-7th grades, and Parents/Caregivers
Celebrating and Supporting LGBTPQIA++ Youth
Wed Mar 15, 8:00am-3:00pm
PrideWorks at Pace University, Pleasantville

We are delighted that the PrideWorks Conference for LGBTQ Youth and their Allies returns in person this year! Westchester UUs are the largest collective sponsor of the conference. Thank you! UUs also volunteer, present workshops, and serve on the Planning Committee and Board. Our presence is affirming for UU youth who attend with their school GSA (Gay Straight Alliance) and on their own, and it is an important youth ministry outreach that lets Westchester youth know we are a faith community that welcomes them. If you would like to help with UU activities such as greeting youth with the Side with Love banner as school buses drop off students at 7:20am, contact Jennifer S of the CUUC LGBTQ+ Team (jennifercstevens@gmail.com). Click here for a poster to post and share

If you are interested in general conference volunteer opportunities (registration, supporting workshop presenters, set-up, clean-up, etc.), contact Kerry King (kerrytk15@gmail.com).

Community

Online Ministerial Search Forum

Ministerial Search Process: Online Congregation Forum, Mon Mar 13, 7:30, Zoom 7899

For those who couldn't attend the Sun Mar 5 forum held in the sanctuary, Rev. Evin Carvill Ziemer will lead a second, online forum to explain the ministerial search process, and prepare us to nominate our Ministerial Search Committee members in April. Remember to submit your nominee suggestions by Mar 15 using our online ministerial search committee nominees questionnaire or the paper forms available in the lobby. Self-nominations are welcome! Contact: Creighton Cray (creighton.cray@gmail.com)

The new season of the ALL 8 Youth Photography Workshop starts on March 20th. Registration is open and free! This time we’re exploring the 8 principles within the context of the shared values model proposed by the Article II Commission. Youth ages 14-17 are welcome to join! Watch the All 8 Youth Photography Fall 2021 Exhibition. This is a fantastic project and opportunity! Register here. Contact Jil Novenski, DRE at The Community Church of New York, jnovenski@ccny.org

Appeal for Minister's
Discretionary Fund

The Minister’s Discretionary Fund allows Rev. Garmon to provide confidential assistance to members, congregants, and neighbors experiencing financial hardship.

Our fund balance is dipping low. Please consider a contribution to help replenish the fund and allow our minister to continue being able to help others. Make checks out to CUUC with the memo “MDF” or “Discretionary Fund” or visit our website, https://cucwp.org, and use the yellow Donate button (and consider checking to box to cover fees). Contributions are tax deductible.

Young Voices in Worship

In an initial review of the report from the Self-Assessment Committee, the RE Council noted congregants' interest in having young voices in worship. We think that's a great idea and Rev. Meredith agrees! We are starting by inviting young people to read the chalice lighting and extinguishing words. These dates are open: April 9, 23 & 30; and May 14. To volunteer, contact Tracy, cuucwptracy@gmail.com

Resources for OWL Classes 
1st-3rd, 4th-5th and 6th-7th grades
& Parents/Caregivers

One of the core priorities of the OWL curriculum is to encourage communication between children/youth and their parent(s)/caregiver(s). The Homelink resources support that by providing material to continue discussion about class topics at home. 
1st-3rd Grade
We are using the K-1 curriculum with our 1st-3rd grade class. This class meets Sunday mornings. The next class is March 19th.
4th-5th and 6th-7th Grade
We are using the 4th-6th curriculum with our 4th-5th and 6th-7th grade classes. This class meets over four Friday evenings. The next class is March 10th. Click here for class dates and topics as well as materials for parents and children to discuss before and after class. The next class is Friday, March 24. 

(Note: The 4th-5th grade Toolbox of Faith class and 6th-7th grade Riddle and Mystery class continue meeting Sunday mornings.)

Parents and Caregivers as Sexuality Educators
This is the corresponding small group ministry for adults, offering opportunity for adults to recall your own experiences at the age your children are now, and to be intentional about how you would like to support your child as they have questions and strive to make decisions that are healthy for them. Parents and caregivers may participate in this class even if you do not have a young person attending an OWL classes. Click here for class dates and topics as well as questions to reflect on after class and resources. The next class is Friday, March 24. 

Community Conversation
Exploring the Future of RE at CUUC

 

Sun, May 21, 11:30am, Fellowship Hall and Zoom 8428
Times are changing, as are family needs and schedules. Join members of the RE Council and Tracy for a visioning discussion about the future of RE at CUUC. We will discuss feedback shared by the Self-Assessment Committee from the congregational survey, then explore what Religious Exploration and faith development might look like here in the coming years. It is exciting to think about what we can build together! Contact Tracy (cuucwptracy@gmail.com).

Weekly Newsletters
Stay up to date by receiving the weekly RE newsletter (sign up here; read past Issues here) and weekly CUUC e-Communitarian (sign up here; read past issues here).
Tracy Breneman, Director of Religious Exploration and Faith Development, cuucwptracy@gmail.com
Community Unitarian Universalist Congregation at White Plains  
468 Rosedale Ave · White Plains, NY 10605-5419






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